Sink clamping device



Feb. 27, 1962 R. A. B. LANG 3,022,519

SINK CLAMPING DEVICE Filed Dec. 1o, 1959 ,f/MM?? Bmwm ATTORNEY United States lPatent O 3,022,519 SINE CLANIPING DEVCE Robert A. B. Lang, Renfrew, Ontario, Canada Filed Dec. 10, 1959, Ser. No. 858,721 6 Claims. (Cl. 4187) This invention relates to clamping devices for securing or clamping sinks in cabinet or counter tops.

Various types of devices have heretofore been proposed for clamping a sink to the cabinet top in which it is `to be installed. Such devices usually include clamping bolts of various kinds. The bolts or the like are, of course, only accessible from beneath the cabinet top and manipulation thereof is frequently awkward and inconvenient. Moreover, rotation of a threaded member into clamping position is relatively time-consuming, especially when the member is in an awkward location. Furthermore, use of a separate threaded member results in time-consuming application of the member to the sink srtucture during assembly and removal ofthe member therefrom preparatory to eecting of the clamping step.

It is an object of this invention to provide a sink clamping device which results in rapid and easy installation of the sink, which is simple in structure and convenient to manufacture, and which is exective and satisfactory in operation.

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of a clamping device in accordance with the invention,

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of the device shown in FIGURE l in association with a sink structure,

FIGURE 3 is a perspective View of a somewhat modied form of clamping device,

FGURE 3a is a perspective view of a further modied form of clamping device,

FIGURE 4 is a sectional side elevation of another moditied form of clamping device, and

FGURE 5 is a sectional side elevation of still another modified form of clamping device.

Referring to FIGURES l and 2, 1 is a metal plate which is adapted to be welded or otherwise secured to the side wall of a sink 2, 3 is a clamping arm releasably hinged to plate 1, and 4 is a supporting leg for adjustably connecting arm 3 and plate 1.

Plate 1 is preferably of unitary channel-shaped form having edge flanges 5 extending perpendicularly from the body portion of the plate. A series of angularly directed recesses or notches 6 are formed in each ange 5 adjacent one end thereof adjacent the conventional edge ange 7 of the sink. Each notch 6 of one ange is laterally aligned with a notch 6 of the other flange.

Arm 3 is also preferably of unitary channel-shaped form having edge anges 8. Fixed to the arm adjacent one end thereof is a pin 9 having its ends projecting laterally outwardly from the anges 8. Thus, the end portions of pin 9 are adapted to be selectively and releasably seated in one pair of laterally aligned notches 6 of plate 1. Arm 3 has a width slightly less than that of plate 1 whereby the anges 8 will readily 't between the anges 5 of the plate. 'Ihe edges of ilanges 8 are serrated as indicated at 1t) to provide biting frictional engagement the under surface of cabinet top 11.

with l "ice Leg 4 may also be of unitary channel form with edge anges 12. Leg 4 has a curved tongue 13 at one end thereof for releasable hinge connection with the other end of arm 3, the latter having an opening 14 for reception of the tongue 13. The other end edge 15 of leg 4 is adapted to be selectively seated in a laterally aligned pair of teeth or ratchets 16 formed in the edges of ilanges 5 of plate 1. .lt will be apparent that the width of leg 4 is slightly greater than that of plate 1 whereby the anges 12 will be located outside the flanges 5 of plate 1 and the ilanges 8 of arm 3. An alternative arrangement is shown in FIGURE 3a wherein the ilanges 12e of leg 4a are reversely directed and provided with outwardly extending marginal portions 12a. It will be apparent that the end edges 12b of portions 12a constitute the ratchet engaging surfaces of the leg. Y

In operation, arm 3 with leg 4 or 4a hinged thereto is selectively positioned in one pair of notches 6, such pair of notches being located above the bottom surface 17 of the cabinet top 11. It will be apparent that selection of an appropriate pair of notches will depend upon the thickness of the cabinet top. The provision or a choice of pairs of notches at varying levels makes pos sible use of the device with a conventional range of cabinet top thicknesses. Preferably, the pin 9 has a friction tit with the walls of the notches whereby the arm maintains its hinged connection with plate 1 during subsequent handling of the sink.

The sink is then placed through the hole 18 in the cabinet top with its ange 7 seated on the top 11, as clearly shown in FlGURE 2. It will be apparent that the arm 3 and leg 4 or 4a hinged thereto willv hang freely downwardly from the pin 9 seated in notches 6. Arm 3 is now swung outwardly about its hinge connection with plate 1 and is pushed upwardly until the serrated edges 10 engage the lower corner area of top 11, and the hinged leg 4 or 4a is swung inwardly and upwardly under pressure to cause the serrated edges 10 to bite into the corner of top 11, as shown in FIGURE 2, the edge of leg 4 or 4a being in engagement with ratchets 16 and being held thereby in clamping position when pressure is released and the top 11 rmly clamped between arm 3 and sink ange 7.

Preferably leg 4 is provided with a hole, recess or indentation 19 intermediate its ends for reception of the end of a tool such as a screwdriver for application therethrough of manual pressure on the leg to force it upwardly into clamping position. In FGURE 3a, instead ot' an indentation 19 there is provided a hole 19a.

1t will be apparent that the placing of the arm 3 and leg 4 into position and the application of a sharp blow to leg 4 are all that is required to complete the clamping operation. This procedure requires only a few seconds and thus an extremely rapid and easy installation proce dure results from use of the device described. v

FIGURE 3 illustrates a slightly modified form of the invention wherein the upper end of a plate 1a is provided with a portion 20 which lies in a plane spaced outwardly from the plane of the remaining portion thereof. Portion 20 has a series of recesses or slots 21 therein to selectively receive a curved tongue 22 on the end of arm 3a. It will be apparent that this structure provides an 'alternative form of hinge connection between arm 3a and plate 1a.

. tion of manual pressure thereto.

einsame Referring to FIGURE 4, the modified form therein illustrated comprises a plate 23 adapted to `be welded or otherwise secured to the side wall of sink 2. Plate 23 has a main body portion 24 which lies in a plane spaced outwardly from the wall of sink 2 to provide an intervening space 25. A toggle ocomprises an arm 27 having a supporting leg 2S pivotally attached thereto at 29 to provide a toggle joint connection therebetween. Arm 27 has an extension 27a below the pivot'point extension 27a having a surface 27h engageable by the leg 28 to limit outward swinging movement of the leg 23 and to delinethe closed or clamping position of the toggle. has a projecting tongue 39 arranged for selective reception in one of a series of holes 31 in body portion 24 to provide a releasable hinge -connection between leg Z and plate 23. Arm 2.7 has a free end portion 32 arranged for biting engagement with the lower surface of cabinet Leg 23.

sirikilange 7 to be firmly clamped onto the cabinet top 1l.

Referring to FiGURE 5, a somewhat similar type of toggleV clamping device is therein illustrated. A plate 33 is fixed to the wall of sink 2 and has a shoulder or pocket 34 thereon. The toggle 35 comprises an arm 36 one end of which is provided with a projection 37 for biting engagement with cabinet top 11 and the other end portion 3S of which is in slightly angular relation to the remaining portion. Portion 38 has an end tab 39 for applica- A leg 40 is pivoted 'at 41 to arm 35 at the juncture of end portion 3S with the remaining portionthereof.-

disposed in substantially perpendicular relation to said sink edge ange, each said plate ange having a plurality of vertically spaced teeth in its tree edge, a clamping arm having one end pivotally mounted in said plate upper portion and having a support-engageable surface, said arm being swingable outwardly from said plate into angular relation thereto to place said support-engageable surface in opposed relation to said sink edge flange, and means Vlixing said'arrn in said angular relation comprising a leg having one end'pivoted to the other end of said arm and its other endfreely seatedron a respective pair of said teeth.

3. Vln a sink having a side wall, said side wall having an external surface, and an edge ange extending outwardly from said sidewall surface in substantially perpendicular relation'thereto, an installation clamp therefor compris ing a member xed to said Side wall external surface and underlying said ilange,'said` member having an upper portion adjacent said sink edge ange and a lower portion remote from said sink edge ange, said member lower portion having a plurality of vertically spaced teeth, said member upper portion having a series of recesses therein,

.said recesses being aligned in aV direction perpendicular to Vsaid sink edge ange Vand in varying spaced relati thereto,.av clamping arm `having one end swingably seated in a selected one of said .recesses and having a support-engageable surface, said arm being swingaole out vardly from said member into angular'relation thereto to place said support-engageable surface in opposed relation to said In operation, with the sink in position, the arm 36 is placed with its projection 37 in proper Yrelation to the cabinet top. With the toggle released, the end of leg 46 external surface, and an edge ilange extending outwardly from said side wall surface in substantially perpendicular relation thereto, an installation clamp therefor comprising a member fixed to said side -wall external surface 'and underlying said ange, saidY member having an upper portion adjacent said sink edge ange and a lower portion remote from said sink edge ange, said mem-ber lower portion having a plurality of vertically spaced teeth, a clampling arm having one end swingably mounted to said mem- 'ber upper portion and having a support-engageable sur- Viace, said arm being swingable outwardly from said member into angular relation thereto to place said support-engageable surface in opposed relationto said sink edge ytlange, and means fixing said arm in said angular relation comprising a leg having one end pivoted to the other end of said arm and its other Vend freely seated on one of said teeth. Y

2. .in a sink having a sidewall, said side wall having an external surface, and an edge tlange extending outwardly from s aid side wall surface in substantially per- Y pendicular relation thereto, au installation clamp therefor comprising a plate iixed to said side wall externalfsurface and underlying said iiange, said plate having au Vupper portion adjacent said sink edge flange and a lower portion remote yfrom said sink edge tlange, said plate lower portion having a pair of substantially parallel flanges each sink edge ange, Vand means fixing said arm in said angular relation comprising a leg having one end pivoted to the other end of said arm and its other end freely seated on one oi said teeth.

4. In a sink having a side wall, said side wall having an external surface, and au edge flange extending outwardly from said side wall surface in substantially perpendicular relation thereto, an installation clamp therefor comprising a plate fixed to said side wall external surface and underlying said ange, said plate having an upper portion-adjacent said sink edge flange and a lower portion remote from said sink edge ange, said plate lower portion having a pair of` substantially parallel angeseach disposed in substantially perpendicular relation to said sink edge ang'efea'ch said plate llange having a plurality of vertically spaced teeth in its free edge,

'said plate upper portion having a series of recesses therein, said recesses being aligned in a direction perpendicular to said sink edge flange and in varying spaced relation thereto, a clamping arm having oneend swingably seated in a selected one of said recesses and having a support-engageable surface, said armpbeng swingable outwardly from said plate into angular relation thereto to place said support-engageable surface in opposed relation to said sink edge ange, and means fixing said arm in said angular relation comprising a leg having one end pivoted to the other end of said arm and its other end freely seated on a respective pair of said teeth.

5. In a sink having a side wall, said sidewall having an external surface and a horizontal edge ange extending outwardly from said side wall surface in substantially perpendicular relation thereto, an installation clamp therefor comprising a member xed to said side wall external surface and underlying said ange, said member having a series of vertically spaced holes therein, an arm having a support-engageable end adjacentsaid edge flange, and a leg having a pivotal connectionY with said arm at a point below said support-engageable end, said arm having ,an extension below said pivotal connection and a surface on said extension engageable by said leg Vto limit swinging movement of said leg relatively to said arm outwardly of Vsaidside wall surface, said leg having a portion freely seated'in one of saidholes, said `leg being swingable into engagement with said extension surface to deline a clamping position. t

6. Ina sink having a side Wall, said side wall having an external surface and a horizontal edge ange extending outwardly from said side wall surface in substantially perpendicular relation thereto, an installation clamp therefor comprising a member fixed to said side wall external surface and underlying said ange, said member having a shoulder thereon underlying said flange and in spaced relation thereto, an arm having a supportengageable end and an angularly extending end portion remote from and below said support-engageable end and disposed laterally outwardly of said shoulder, Vand a leg pivoted to said arm at a point adjacent said angularly extending end portion and having a free end below said References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,491,742 Lein Dec. 20, 1949 2,635,778 Dielenderfer et al Apr. 21, 1953 2,812,521 Skinner Nov. 12, 1957 2,939,196 Weis June 7, 1960 

